Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

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Rappel into paradise

Experience the Land of Waterfalls from a different perspective — the middle of a waterfall. Green River Adventures and Pura Vida Adventures will take you on canyoneering experiences that include rappelling down some of the waterfalls most people stand on the riverbanks to see. These canyoneering trips also include hiking, rock climbing and swimming in places like the Garden of the Gods, a stretch of rocky whitewater descends along the West Fork of the Pigeon River. The multi-sport adventures range from beginner to difficult with the promise of a full five-to-seven hour canyoneering adventure. National Geographic even named the challenging Paradise Canyon program as one of America’s Best Summer Weekend Adventures.